Can Hamsters Eat Kale?

In the past, I’ve covered whether or not hamsters can eat bananas and I thought I’d get back to it, especially for our hamster followers who aren’t sure about what they can feed their little ones. Today’s question is: Can Hamsters Eat Kale?

Short Answer

Yes, some can, but in moderation.

What breeds shouldn’t eat Kale?

Breeds that shouldn’t eat kale are Chinese & Russian Campbell Dwarfs and White Winter Dwarfs. Similar to bananas, this is because these breeds of hamsters are so prone to diabetes and kale has about 2.3 grams of sugar in it.

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What breeds can have Kale?

The breeds that can are Syrian hamsters as well as Roborovski hamsters. You will still have to moderate how much you give them as kale does have a fairly high acidic content, but the water in it will be beneficial for your hamster. Kale should always be a rare treat for your hamsters and I would recommend weekly if not bi-weekly.

What are the benefits of feeding Kale?

Kale is filled with vitamins and minerals particularly vitamin A.

What happens if I feed my hamster too much Kale?

If fed too much kale it can cause your hamster to have a very upset stomach. This usually leads to throwing up or diarrhea, which means a very dehydrated hamster. Unfortunately, dehydration commonly leads to death without a vet’s intervention, so again you want to be careful how much you feed your hamster friend.

I’m not sure I trust myself feeding Kale, are there any hamster treats that include Kale?

Unfortunately, at this time I haven’t been able to find any. Kale is one of the harder things to find in “pet safe treats” and only recently started peeking its head in cat products. If you’re worried about feeding Kale, don’t worry it’s not a necessity in your hamster’s life, but I would recommend checking my banana article for some great alternatives for treats!